Microcapsule for use in the treatment of tooth misalignment by means of plastic splints or aligners

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microcapsule (1) for use in the treatment of dental misalignments by means of plastic splints (5) or aligners (5), characterized in that the microcapsule (1) is a few µm in size, preferably 0.5µm to 200µm, and has a shell (2) made of plastic or glass or ceramic, the shell (2) being filled inside with a liquid (3), and the shell (2) breaking open when it is subjected to a defined force and releasing the liquid (3), which can be optically detected, preferably by a color change or illumination with UV light.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to orthodontic treatment methods, in particular to the treatment of misaligned teeth using plastic splints (aligners) or to aligner therapy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Aligner therapy (from "to align") is an orthodontic treatment method for the largely invisible treatment of mild to severe misalignments of the teeth. It uses a sequence of individually manufactured, thin, and transparent plastic aligners. These aligners are produced using thermoforming processes or additive manufacturing methods such as 3D printing.

[0003] For the treatment to be successful, the aligners must exert a sufficiently high force on the tooth. Over time, the plastic material from which the aligners are made deforms. As a result, the force applied to the tooth diminishes, and effective treatment can no longer be guaranteed. Therefore, the dentist uses a new aligner at regular intervals to ensure the treatment can continue successfully.

[0004] For the therapy to be effective, it is important that the aligners maintain a consistent quality throughout the entire treatment period.

[0005] US3469439 discloses a manufacturing article for measuring distributed forces over a surface, consisting of an essentially homogeneous mixture of discrete groups of microcapsules with different pressure sensitivities. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Currently, the inventors are unaware of any state of the art that allows a doctor / patient to easily determine the effectiveness of the treatment, track the progress of the treatment, and, for example, determine the time to change to a new aligner.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to provide microcapsules with which the effectiveness of the therapy can be determined and the progress of the therapy can be monitored.

[0008] This objective was achieved by the microcapsule according to claim 1. The subject matter of the dependent claims relates to further developments and preferred embodiments.

[0009] The microcapsule according to the invention can be used in the treatment of malocclusions using plastic splints or aligners. The microcapsule is a few micrometers in size (preferably 0.5–200 micrometers) and has a shell made of plastic, glass, or ceramic. The shell is filled with a biocompatible liquid. The shell ruptures when subjected to a defined force, releasing the liquid, which can be detected optically, preferably by a color change or UV light.

[0010] The microcapsule is applied between the tooth and the inner surface of the aligner. The microcapsules can be applied in various ways, such as a spray, paste, powder, film, or adhesive film.

[0011] The microcapsules can be used not only by the doctor but also by the patient themselves: The doctor can determine the effectiveness of the therapy and monitor its progress. The patient can decide when to change the aligner and either visit the doctor or perform the change themselves according to the instructions.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether the minimum necessary force is applied to the tooth when using aligners.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is further possible to determine whether the force on the teeth during the wearing of the aligner falls below or exceeds a necessary limit. The force can be determined very locally.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is further made possible for the doctor / patient to be shown the time to change the aligner by means of the microcapsules.

[0015] Preferably, the microcapsule is filled with a colored liquid to create a color effect and allow the physician / patient to visualize the change when it breaks. The colors in the microcapsules can be transparent in the visible wavelength range and only acquire their hue after the capsule ruptures. This color change can occur due to a change in pH or oxidation of the dye. A color change resulting from the reaction of two or more substances used in the microcapsules with the same or different rupture sensitivities / forces is also possible.

[0016] Preferably, a combination or mixture of different types of microcapsules with different colors and varying sensitivities / rupture forces can be used to achieve force resolution and to visualize this for the physician / patient. This allows for the determination of a wider force range. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the following description, the present invention is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 - shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a microcapsule according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 - shows a schematic representation of an aligner from below, on the inner side of which microcapsules have been applied; Fig. 3 - shows a schematic representation of an aligner from the front, on the inner side of which microcapsules have been applied.

[0018] The reference numbers shown in the drawings denote the elements listed below, which are referred to in the following description of exemplary embodiments. 1. Microcapsule 2. Tray 3. Liquid 4. Dye 5. Aligner / Plastic tray

[0019] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a microcapsule (1) according to one embodiment. According to the present invention, microcapsules (1) are used in the treatment of malocclusions by means of plastic splints (5) or aligners (5). These are a few micrometers in size and each has a shell (2) made of plastic, glass, or ceramic. The shell (2) is filled internally with a liquid (3). Furthermore, the shell (2) ruptures when subjected to a defined force, and the liquid (3), which can be optically detected, preferably by a color change or UV light, is released.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the microcapsules (1) can be filled with a liquid (3) which is / becomes colored upon release.

[0021] For the successful application of an aligner (5), it must exert forces between 0.05 N and 5 N on a tooth, depending on the planned treatment. This results in a compressive stress X = 0.01 to 1 MPa that arises between the tooth and the aligner (5). When the microcapsules (1), which are sensitive to the compressive stress X, are placed between the tooth and the aligner, fluid leakage, preferably resulting in discoloration, occurs when the force and thus the stress is reached. If the force is not reached, no fluid (3) leaks out or no color effect occurs.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, different microcapsules (1) are combined. Depending on the intended marking and color, differently filled or differently sensitive microcapsules (1) can be used. Different dyes (4) can be used with differently sensitive microcapsules (1), for example, a yellow and a green dye that turn blue upon simultaneous release. Thus, force resolution can be achieved.

[0023] This is explained with the following example: Microcapsule (1) of type A reacts at 0.5 MPa and turns yellow. Microcapsule (1) of type B reacts at 1.0 MPa and turns green. At voltages below 0.5 MPa, no color change occurs. At voltages between 0.5 MPa and 1.0 MPa, yellow coloration occurs. At voltages >1.0 MPa, blue coloration occurs (i.e., yellow + green). Three or more different microcapsules (1) can also be combined to achieve an even broader force resolution.

[0024] The application of the microcapsules (1) can be carried out in various ways. According to different embodiments, the microcapsules (1) are provided as a spray, paste, film, preferably as an adhesive film, or powder. The spray, paste, film, and powder can, for example, be made from different types of microcapsules (1) or alternatively from only one type of microcapsule (1).

Claims

1. Microcapsule (1) for use in the treatment of tooth misalignment by means of plastic splints (5) or aligners (5), wherein the microcapsule (1) is 0.5 µm to 200 µm in size and has a shell (2) made of plastic or glass or ceramic, the shell (2) is internally filled with a liquid (3), and the shell (2) breaks open when it experiences a defined force and releases the liquid (3), which can be detected optically, preferably by a colour change or illumination with UV light, wherein the shell breaks open at a compressive stress of at least 0.5 MPa and wherein the filled liquid (3) is / becomes coloured upon release.

2. Combination of microcapsules (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the microcapsules (1) have a liquid (3) with different colours on release and each break open at differently defined forces.

3. Spray for use in the treatment of tooth misalignment by means of plastic splints or aligners, characterised in that the spray has a type or a combination of different types of microcapsules (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

4. Paste for use in the treatment of tooth misalignment by means of plastic splints or aligners, characterised in that the paste has a type or a combination of different types of microcapsules (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2.

5. Film for use in the treatment of tooth misalignment by means of plastic splints or aligners, characterised in that the film has a type or a combination of different types of microcapsules (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2.

6. Film according to claim 5, characterised in that the film can be adhesively bonded.

7. Powder for use in the treatment of tooth misalignment by means of plastic splints or aligners, characterised in that the powder has a type or a combination of different types of microcapsules (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2.

8. Aligner (5) and one or more microcapsules (1) applied to the inner side of the aligner, wherein the or each microcapsule is according to claim 1.

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